C—l

12

siderably above the estimate for the year. This large increase is chiefly due to the increasing rentals of lands under the Land for Settlements Acts and the purchase-money of areas held under the occupation-with-right-of-purchase system.

Summary of Land Transactions, 1902-3.

Number of Tenants and Arrears of Rent. —The number of tenants on the books at the 31st March, 1902, was 972, holding an area of 655,298 acres and 7 perches, with an annual rent of £29,726 Bs. lid. ; and during the year under review seventy-seven tenants, with an area of 30,953 acres and 4 perches, and an annual rental of £5,543 19s. 9d., were added. This gives at the 31st March, 1903, a total of 1,049 tenants on the books, holding an area of 686,251 acres and 11 perches, who pay an annual rent of £35,270 Bs. Bd. The arrears of rent are very large for Hawke's Bay at present, but on looking into the circumstances in connection with the arrears it will be seen that a large arrear list was unavoidable. The total arrears at the 31st March last was £3,709 45., which was owing by sixty-three tenants, who hold an area of 23,333 acres 2 roods 12 perches. Of this amount £3,372 6s. 7d. was due in respect of Hatuma Settlement; therefore the arrears on Crown lands and other land-for-settlement estates are, comparatively speaking, small—viz., £336 17s. sd. It will be remembered that the Hatuma settlers, on account of the bad season experienced on selecting the land, were allowed three years within which to pay the rent for the year 1902 ; and on taking into consideration the fact that the annual rental is £7,841 10s. 10d., and the amount of arrears £3,372 6s. 7d., it will be seen that some of the settlers are not taking the full advantage of the concession granted. In fact, some have paid up arrears with a view of obtaining the benefit of the rebate allowed under " The Land for Settlements Consolidation Act, 1900." Lands to be opened. —During the year 1903-4 the majority of the Crown lands to be opened for selection in this district will be situated in Poverty Bay. I anticipate that an area of

Transactions during Year. Leasehold Lands held at 31st March, 1903. Tenures. Revenue received during Year 1902-3. Number. Area. Number. Area. Cash Perpetual lease made freehold Occupation with right of purchase made freehold Perpetual lease Deferred payment... Occupation with right of purchase Lease in perpetuity Village settlements — Occupation with right of purchase Lease in perpetuity Village - homestead special settlements Special - settlement associations, lease in perpetuity Improved farms Small grazing-runs Pastoral runs Timber-cutting Miscellaneous leases Transfer fees, &c. ... Crown-grant fees ... Survey liens Other sources 2 12 1 A. B. P. 623 2 25 3,219 2 10 2,000 0 0 A. B. P. £ a. d. 477 0 0 2,802 10 2 1,150 0 0 "21 10,175 3 35 21 3 207 9,090 0 36 2,140 1 13 91,141 3 18 406 9 3 63 15 6 4,035 1 6 3 1,428 1 30 177 100,112 2 21 3,196 17 7 8 6 2 8 1 17 6 8 1 117 0 14 1 2 17 43 30 493 2 11 188 0 37 49 16 11 57 7 0 14 3,111 0 19 70 14 0 '3 "ll 9,790 0 0 8,590 1 22 17 71 17 77 1,916 0 0 211,316 1 14 134,991 2 0 52,710 1 10 264 10 11 2,157 12 5 825 2 4 403 8 9 1,117 3 7 163 3 0 20 9 7 24 7 4 65 9 11 • Totals ... Land for settlements (lease in perpetuity) Land for settlements (village) Land for settlements (small grazing-runs) Land for settlements (miscellaneous) Land for settlements (cash)... Native townships ... Endowments 62 50 1 35,946 2 33 15,187 3 16 1,177 0 0 685 256 16 10 607,218 2 27 56,963 3 30 35 1 32 11,648 2 0 17,352 17 3 14,584 16 11 29 11 0 828 1 9 4 157 1 17 6 358 2 27 315 12 8 1 6 2 3 0 0 24 0 1 246 1 14 "50 26 221 0 20 9,804 2 35 30 0 0 173 2 7 414 18 6 Grand totals 126 52,742 1 1 1,049 686,251 0 11 33,729 0 8